Blair Spittal was a late addition to the Hearts lineup and took on extra leadership as the team held on for a 1-0 home win thanks to Islam Chesnokov on 22/02/2026
Hearts stayed top after a tense 1-0 win over Falkirk at Tynecastle on Sunday, February 22. A single moment of quality separated the teams: Islam Chesnokov’s composed finish just before half‑time proved enough, and Hearts rode out a nervy second half to claim all three points.
Blair Spittal’s late inclusion gave the midfield a vital spark, while the backline and manager Derek McInnes’s game management kept Falkirk at bay.
How the game unfolded The contest was cagey for long stretches, with both sides probing but rarely creating clear-cut chances.
The decisive incident arrived shortly before the interval, when a period of pressure unsettled Falkirk’s defence and Chesnokov reacted quickest. After a sustained build-up and a telling pass from Alexandros Kiziridis, Chesnokov tucked a composed left‑footed toe‑poke past Scott Bain to send Tynecastle into the break relieved.
Hearts altered their approach after the restart, deliberately compact and cautious, looking to deny space on the counter. Falkirk, energetic and confident from a strong return to the top flight, pressed for an equaliser and threatened on transitions, but never produced the finish required to truly test Hearts’ defence. The visitors’ best moments came on the break, yet the decisive final touch was missing.
Individual displays and tactics Spittal stood out. Drafted into the starting XI at the eleventh hour after Ageu’s late absence, he injected energy, intelligent pressing and forward passing that helped Hearts control key phases of the second half. His presence steadied the midfield and offered a useful outlet when the home side needed to relieve pressure.
Kiziridis was quieter than usual but produced the assist for the goal and later forced a stop from Bain with a long-range effort. After going in front, Hearts shifted into a narrower, more organised shape—prioritising defensive cohesion to protect their lead while trying to remain threatening on the break.
Falkirk’s threat and context Falkirk arrived at Tynecastle playing with the assurance that has carried them since promotion. They stayed compact, moved the ball quickly and looked dangerous in transition, but lacked the finishing touch to overturn the scoreline. The Bairns have already proved awkward opponents this season—most notably knocking Hearts out of the Scottish Cup on penalties—and they again posed problems, even if they left Edinburgh empty‑handed.
Manager thoughts and next steps McInnes praised the team’s defensive discipline and the players’ ability to manage the game once ahead. He acknowledged a scrappy first half and asked for crisper decision‑making and better delivery in the final third—areas the coaching staff will focus on as they juggle a congested schedule and split minutes to protect players from injury.
The manager also highlighted the crowd’s role in settling the players during tense moments and said clearer communication in possession at half‑time helped steady the side. With Aberdeen the next visitors to Tynecastle—one of the few teams to have beaten Hearts this season—the coaching team will be fine‑tuning selection and shape to keep momentum going.
What the result means The narrow victory preserves Hearts’ position at the summit and demonstrates their capacity to grind out results when chances are scarce. It eases some pressure in the dressing room and gives McInnes more tactical options moving forward. If Hearts can maintain their defensive discipline while sharpening their final‑third execution, they’ll be well placed for the run‑in.
For Spittal, the afternoon was a personal boost. Pulled into the side at the last minute, he delivered composure and energy that could influence selection and leadership as the campaign reaches its decisive stages.
